BigDog is the alpha male of the Boston Dynamics family of robots. It is a quadruped robot that walks, runs, and climbs on rough terrain and carries heavy loads. BigDog is powered by a gasoline engine that drives a hydraulic actuation system. BigDog’s legs are articulated like an animal’s, and have compliant elements that absorb shock and recycle energy from one step to the next. BigDog is the size of a large dog or small mule, measuring 1 meter long, 0.7 meters tall and 75 kg weight.

Read more…and see the video.

Oh, and btw….this news just in:  All of the Wal-Marts across Alabama sold out of ammunition as of yesterday.  A reliable source said that one of the purchasers commented that while Russia may have invaded Georgia, they sure as hell ain’t doin’ it to Alabama.

This is just off the top of my head, but it appears there are a lot of people who in the past two days are taking an interest in the election for the first time.  My guesstimate is based on the number of people who have been looking up Barack Obama information on my website.  Hits to my website have been running about the same for weeks until yesterday and today when they tripled.

I was amazed when Joe Biden was named as Obama’s running mate and people asked who he was.  Biden has been active in politics at the national level for 35 years and people hadn’t heard of him.  They must be too young to remember the Anita Hill hearings. I wonder how well prepared…informed….voters are when they pull that handle.

Until Greensburg, imo, Sen. Pat Roberts has not appeared in Kansas very often.

Almost every time I walk out my front door I stumble over Jerry Moran. One would think he lived and worked here.  Not so with Roberts.  I haven’t seen him more than a half dozen times in the last 40 years.  Now that he’s in trouble with his election, he’s a more frequent visitor to the place he’s supposed to represent.

Last Saturday, August 23, the front-page above-the-fold headline for the Topeka Capital-Journal read, “Topeka Bank Closed”.  It highlighted how the Columbian Bank & Trust failed under the weight of $92 million in loans gone bad.

Then, in the same paper, seven pages later, there was an article about Pat Roberts’ “congressional update” to the Topeka Chamber on Friday where Sen. Roberts managed to demonstrate just how completely out-of-touch he is with Kansas:

“We’re not California, and we’re certainly not Texas or Florida,” he said. “Kansas banks”, he said, “are in good shape.”

That came from the mouth of a man sitting on the Senate Finance Committee.

1000 pieces of art were submitted to the Manifest Hope Gallery Contest by MoveOn.org members and other grassroots artists.  The artists volunteered their time and incredible talents to help spread the word about Barack Obama.  The five winners are on display this week at the Manifest Hope Gallery in Denver.

Kansas artist Stan Herd who is best known for his elaborate landscape/sculptures is one of the finalists.

You can bid on any piece of art. Just click on any one of the thumbnails below to see more about that artwork and find the link to its eBay page. Artists have pledged to donate the proceeds from this auction to progressive efforts aimed at helping Obama win this November.

Luke is my granddaughter’s husband and is celebrating his 26th birthday today.  We’re so happy to have him a member of our family.  Happy Birthday Luke….celebrate in a big way.

Democratic platform backs Obama policies while recognizing Clinton’s role in primary

StarTribune.com

Last update: August 25, 2008 - 11:09 PM

DENVER - Democrats adopted a platform Monday that commits the party to Barack Obama’s policy ideas, but also credits his primary rival Hillary Rodham Clinton with putting “18 million cracks in the highest glass ceiling.”

The platform reasserts Obama’s promise of energy rebates to struggling families, pension subsidies, a crackdown on predatory lenders, higher taxes for families earning over $250,000, tax breaks for others, billions for economic stimulus and “direct high-level diplomacy, without preconditions,” in the case of Iran.

…the party is united behind a commitment that every American “be guaranteed to have affordable, comprehensive health care.”

…Obama’s health plan falls short of guaranteed coverage for all…

On Iraq, the platform states that Democrats “expect to complete redeployment within 16 months,”…

.. “The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right,” it says.

…Gone is the phrase from the past that abortions should be safe, legal and “rare.”

The party also pledges to ensure access to adoption programs, prenatal and postnatal care and income support programs for expectant mothers who need the help.

Read more….

Salina Democrats are planning a local event Thursday, in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention.

The Saline County Democratic Party is inviting the public to what they are billing as “a celebration of change.” The evening is designed to greet neighbors and friends, and hear Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama’s acceptance speech, live from Denver.

Candidates David Norlin, Josh Svaty, and Rebekah Gaston for the House of Representatives, Marlysue Holmquist and Sid Schultz for County Commission and Abner Perney for the Kansas Senate, or their representatives, will be present to discuss crucial issues and dialogue with citizens regarding the election of 2008. Also present will be Saline County Democratic party officials plus many precinct committeemen and women.

The event is free, and open to the public. It will be at the One-Eleven Lounge at 111 S. Santa Fe, from 7:00 till 10:30 or later this Thursday.

© KSAL News

photo by BARM/fame

Pam Grout, who writes for People and other national magazines, has an article about Yoda, the four-eared cat that has stormed the internet.   Pam is a former resident of Ellsworth and has authored many books and articles.  She lives in Lawrence, travels the world and plugs Kansas wherever she goes.  You can read her article here.

24 Aug 2008

Telegraph.co.uk

Beauty pageant for Italian nuns

Father Antonio Rungi, who is organising the pageant, said he expected around 1,000 contestants to enter.”Nuns are above all women and beauty is a gift from God,” Father Rungi told the daily Corriere della Sera.

“This contest will be a way to show there isn’t just the beauty we see on television but also a more discrete charm,” he added.

Father Rungi plans to carry out the pageant online, with hopeful nuns submitting pictures to his blog and readers voting on their charms.

Entrants must fill out a profile form with snippets of information on their lives and a photograph - either wearing the traditional veil or going bareheaded.

“You really think all nuns are old, stunted and sad? This isn’t the case any more, thanks to the arrival in our country of young and vital nuns,” notably from Africa and Latin America, he added.

“I hope the next (pageant) won’t just take place online but that we can organise a real show that can take place during the Miss Italy contest,” he said.

Father Rungi said it was nuns who had first suggested the idea to him, but some Catholic groups were critical.

“It’s an initiative that belittles the role of nuns who have dedicated themselves to God,” said Alberto Giannino, a Catholic activist.

From Jack Cafferty:
“If ever there was a chance for a resounding victory, the Democrats certainly have it. Look anywhere… Americans are fed up. Fed up with war, illegal immigration, a lack of affordable health care, rising inflation, unemployment, etc. They can’t stand President Bush. The Republican nominee is a Bush clone – 26 years in the Senate, John McCain has voted with President Bush 95 percent of the time…”

Are you better of than you were eight years ago when Bush took office?

Cafferty on CNN had this to say:

Ronald Reagan had some success with this question a few years ago and things weren’t nearly as crummy then as they are now: Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago? But this time it’s been 8 years.

Think about it: unemployment is rising. The rate stands at 5.7% and we have lost 463,000 jobs since the first of the year.

And so is inflation. It’s accelerating at a faster rate than it has in 17 years.

Gas prices are up 34% in the last year. Oil was around $26 a barrel when President Bush was inaugurated… it touched $147 a few weeks ago.

More than 1 million homes are now in foreclosure.

Here are some national comparisons between today and where things were 8 years ago: Americans’ wages have actually gone down since the last recession ended.

And we are spending 14.1% of our disposable income on debt; that’s higher than it was in 2001.

Americans are pretty glum about the future, too. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index stood at almost 85% in 2001; now it’s just below 52%.

Also, a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll finds 75% of those surveyed think the economy is in bad shape; that’s compared to just 43% who felt that way a year ago.

So as the conventions get under way and the campaign for the White House heats up — voters have a lot to think about.

It’s that time of year when everyone starts thinking about all the good food that will be on their plates at the Kanopolis annual Fiesta.  The line starts forming about 11:00 a.m. on Saturday when the tostadas, hot tamales, tacos, beans, hamburgers and pie unfold on the serving counter in the basement and on the grounds of the St. Ignatius Catholic Church.

Catholic mass will take place at 4:00 p.m.  There will food, fun and games after mass and continuing as long as people are there to enjoy them, or they run out of food.  Raffle tickets will be available for a $1.00 donation with the top prize of $1,000. Bingo always attracts interested players.
You can sit at one of the many long tables with friends and neighbors or ask for carry out.
People come from far and wide to enjoy this special day in Kanopolis.  We always look forward to it.  Be supportive of their many efforts and join in the fun.

Ally is preparing “Ally’s Jumbo Beef and Bean Tostada” topped with lettuce, tomato and cheese for $5.99.

She also has stacked chicken enchiladas with green chile cream sauce, jalapeno cheese nacho appetizer and refried beans for $6.50.

Bill Maher was on Larry King last night…a rerun as I’d seen it last week. I like Bill, his comedic yet direct approach to about everything from politics to religion which he reminds us we should keep separated.  His humor makes me chuckle. Unfortunately, we don’t subscribe to HBO so I don’t get to see him very often.

Bill talked about his film, Religulous, soon to be released, that Larry King said everyone ought to go see.  The title of the film is a portmanteau derived from the words “religion” and “ridiculous,” implying the satirical nature of the documentary that is meant to mock the concept of organized religion and the problems it brings about. It’s an unscripted comedy that people of all religious beliefs should find uproarously funny, except perhaps, the very uptight religious right who might fail to catch the humor.

You might want to put it on your “to see” list…

During the televising of the Olympic Games I didn’t get much accomplished. Every time I watch the games, I figure it might be my last so I better take time and watch. They don’t come around often.

I thought NBC did an exceptional job with their coverage.  I wish they would show more of the obscure events and less rhythmic ballet which seems to be more appropriate for a segment of a ballroom dancing competition. Then there is water polo and endless gymnastics and diving.  Overall, there is something for everyone who is interested in watching. Not everyone is.

The response to Michael Phelps appearance in London as a prelude to the next summer Olympic Games was very impressive.  Not everyone in London was there, but it appeared most were or on the way.  The fly-over was very impressive and I’m sure it must have been another stellar moment for Phelps.  He’ll be swimming there in four years, so he said. I find it exhausting just thinking about Phelps, and other super athletes, training for four years to maintain their peak of fitness in order to compete.

Planning major accomplishments on a daily basis are not at the top of my list anymore so sitting in front of the TV and waking up with puffy eyes from lack of sleep is okay now and then.  Brit and I read the paper in the morning then decide whether or not to go back to bed or dress for the day.  Luckily for us, the latter wins out without much thought, but we’re not very speedy about it.

My turkey lady friend checked in this morning with the following:   Four total. I’m going to go check tonight and see if I can figure out the Toms and Helens for sure. We both saw one strut. Will see if I can get a better boy/girl count and let you know my findings. Cross your fingers I have a least ONE Helen!

I have a feeling the turkey lady is going to have trouble recouping her loses, but we’ll keep crossing our fingers for her.

Thanks for tuning in…

I don’t know where the past year has gone as “it seems like yesterday” when we were in the church watching Dane wheel beside Mackenzie as he escorted her down the aisle to Luke who was waiting with a big grin on his face. What a lovely, meaningful wedding it was.

Mackenzie and Luke: have a very happy day full of wonderful thoughts about that joyous occasion.

Rachel Maddow will have her own show on MSNBC!  She’s my favorite news commentator and political pundit and not one to be bullied. Her first show will be 9-08-08 at 9 p.m. eastern and 7:00 p.m. pacific on MSNBC.

A graduate of Castro Valley High School in Castro Valley, California, Maddow later obtained a degree in public policy from Stanford University in 1994. She then received a Rhodes Scholarship in 1995 and used it to obtain a PhD in political science from Lincoln College, Oxford University. Her political activism has focused on AIDS and prisoners’ rights, especially the prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS in prisons. She is an outspoken advocate for gay and progressive issues.

News & Opinion

Friday, August 22, 2008

Rachel Maddow and the news war

The partisan lines in cable news have “never been drawn” more neatly than they are now, said Brian Stelter in The New York Times. With the promotion of Air America radio host Rachel Maddow to a prime-time slot, MSNBC, home of Bush administration critic Keith Olbermann, is now a clear liberal foil to the conservative Fox News, and the independent-aiming CNN.

And…

She’s had a meteoric rise from her debut as a TV news host, back in April of this year when she filled in for Olbermann on Countdown. Maddow will continue to host her Air America radio show, but is replacing Dan Abrams in the 9 PM slot, right after Keith Olbermann.

Why am I a fan of Rachel Maddow’s? Well, it could be her background as an activist connecting prisoners’ rights to the AIDS movement. It could be because she won a Rhodes scholarship back in 1994, then celebrated by cutting all her hair off and dying it blue. It could be because she was the first out lesbian to win that scholarship, one of the few television personalities who openly identifies as a butch dyke and won’t give in to pressure to look more feminine on camera:…

More on Feministe… take a look at some of her video clips.  There are several.  Check the one where she hammers Pat Buchanan into an incoherent state where all he can do is sputter about socialism.

Six quarts of very hot salsa are sitting on my kitchen counter.  They join others from a previous batch and are just hanging in limbo until the family gathers for a night of Mexican food we’re having Thursday evening.  Meantime, I pawned some off on the Crystal Queen who keeps me supplied with tomatoes.  Drew volunteered to pick up a quart to take back to school.

Our Huevos Rancheros chit-chat group…Meredith, Cindy and I…included husbands this morning.  Rich turned us down as he preferred planning for winter trapping. Brit ordered biscuits and gravy which was way out of the circle of conversation. The only real participant in our little group was Lew. We had fun and the breakfasts were all good.

While I was stirring salsa I listened to Obama and Biden.  The crowd that gathered to hear them speak in front of the Court House in Springfield IL was huge.  They didn’t get into a lot of specifics but we all know the lousy economy is going to be addressed hard by Obama and Biden. John McCain is out of touch and doesn’t understand us common folks or our economic woes.  All I know is that I’m ready for total change as we can’t afford four more years of the same economic skidding downward and disasterous administrative policies we’ve had for the past eight years.  Biden is uniquely qualified to go after McCain about Iraq.

Now, it will be interesting to see who McCain picks.

Bill Maher was on Larry King the other night plugging his movie, “Religulous”. Click here and you can see a video of the conversation posting on “Evolving in Kansas”.  Don’t miss his posting of “The Real Reason Prez Candidates Won’t Debate Science” that follows.

Thanks for tuning in.

August 22, 2008

MADISON, Wis. — A double-lottery-winning couple in Dane County doubled their winnings again.

Verlyn and Judith Adamson of Mount Horeb each claimed a $350,000 jackpot this week for having the winning numbers in the state SuperCash drawing last Saturday.

But they didn’t mention at the time that they also held two more of the winning tickets.

They claimed two more $350,000 jackpots Thursday. All four were purchased at different locations, but with the same numbers and for the same drawing.

The total winnings increased to $1.4 million, or about $955,000 after taxes.

The Adamsons left a voice message on their phone saying they wouldn’t have any public comment and referring any questions to their lawyer Scott Thompson.

Verlyn Adamson, an accountant, said earlier in the week that he’s a big fan of math puzzles. He claims he developed a formula for lottery picks, but his winnings have been small until now.

Thompson said the Adamsons are “exploring patent protection” for the equation.

But Steven Post, a mathematics professor at Edgewood College in Madison, said there is no way to devise a strategy for finding the winning numbers in a game that uses randomly generated numbers to determine the winning combination.

The only proven strategy would be to “buy all the tickets,” he said.